Women In Combat Rules Tested At Fort Drum

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Fort Drum is among six posts that will participate in a six-month test of new rules allowing women to take more jobs closer to front lines.

The test is the result of a Pentagon policy change driven by the experiences of recent wars and to give women opportunity to compete for positions they were previously forbidden from filling because the jobs were considered too dangerous.

Among the jobs that will be opened to women for the first time are tank and armored troop carrier mechanic, artillery radar operator, and rocket launcher crew member.

One brigade of the 10th Mountain Division is participating, along with units at Fort Collins, Colorado.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and in Hawaii.